15 Most Unusual Flying Vehicles in the World

Ever since the Wright brothers proved that it was possible for heavier than air machines to fly, engineers have been trying to develop designs that make flight easier and more efficient. There are several basic principles that you’ll be familiar with from widely used aircraft that almost appear to be essential, but the reality is that there’s a range of different techniques that can be used to generate the lift required. It’s time to push the boundaries of what you thought was possible, as we take a look at the 15 most unusual flying vehicles.

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[bicyclist]

I remember the last plane shown here as it got lots of coverage in the 80's in magazines such as Popular Science, and National Geographic. Great video. Good narration. Thank you.

[RobertNelson-bg]

The Lanier "Vacuplane" was a wonderment that deserves full attention and updating
Thanks for this video...

[rogerrabbit]

Some of the video of the M2-F1 was actually the M2-F3, identifiable by the center vertical stabilizer, which neither the M2-F1 or M2-F2 had.

The M2-F2 crashed on it's sixteenth flight on May 10, 1967. Footage of the crash was used in the opening of the "Six Million Dollar Man" television series. The crash prompted the addition of the third vertical stabilizer seen on the M2-F3.

[donaldgrant]

The only thing I see wrong with personal aircraft that replace cars, is on display on our highways every day. Can you imagine being in the same air space with some of those looney toons?

[johngraves]

"Flying bathtub." LOL. This was one of your best productions, with plenty of humor to be found. Keep up the good work!

[sgfx]

18:12 Rutan Voyager: Soon after it's "around the world" trip, it was shortly on display at its airport in California, I visited it and found the opportunity to reach up and touch the tip of the front propellers' hub cone. So, not only did I get to see and touch the plain. I touch the very first part of the plane to finish the trip. Not a super big deal, I Know, but it was a cool experience.

[johnbasiglone]

Very well done! Much better than the error filled Dark Skies channel.

[generalthunder]

"To begin with the Belphegor may look very similar to any other bi plane..."

My brother in Christ, have you ever seen another biplane??

[mikesahle]

Thank you 🙏 all great 👍 idea 💡 educational for future reference ☝️

[FINNIUSORION]

Oh wow. I've been into aviation for as long as I can remember. I have my private license and I also scratch build large scale rc plane's. It's not a common occurrence for me to learn something new about historical aircraft. I have a 1/4 parasol plane I built 5 or 6 years ago and I've never read or heard that the wing allows it to float down like a parachute. I'll have to try it next time I'm at the field. If anything it will give everyone a good show lol. I've learned the hard way that full scale aerodynamics don't always translate precisely down into the models. The molecules in the air are bigger relative to the airfoil on the models. But great job on the video 👏 👍

[davidclark]

Its probably not well known that the front engine on the Voyager was shut down to conserve fuel for most of the round the world flight because the single rear engine was sufficient to maintain altitude and speed. The two engines were not identical--the front engine had more rated power and was used only for takeoff and climb and for the initial cruise flight at the heaviest weight.

[fanstfs]

Green goblin is more realistic than spiderman

[Astrofrank]

Missing the Stipa-Caproni, the NASA AD-1 and the Blohm & Voss BV 141.

[Fred-mpvf]

(17:52) "The highest altitude ever obtained by a winged aircraft"? Obviously they meant "by a solar-powered aircraft".

[markoppenheim]

Half of the pictures identified as the "Hiller X-18" are actually pictures of the XC-142, which can be seen at the Air Force Museum.

[Astronomator]

Does that Hiller X-18 have interfering rotors? If so, that's a daring design, since I don't think it's possible, given the lack of structure between the rotors, that they could be mechanically coupled with gears or linkages to prevent contact between the blades.

[soliv]

07:45 Leduc 022 had speed 2500kph Mach 2

[harryschaefer]

The Helios flew higher than a U2? The X15 reached 314, 688 feet, it was a winged aircraft.

[CKILBY-zufq]

Well. I guessed you missed the coolest one of all. Yet you mentioned it. Although no one would know what you said.
But I do. And you missed mine.
Way cooler then all of them.

[JAMessinaJr]

The Eurocopter X3 seems reminiscent of an autogyro.